In Europe during the medieval times the only recognized religion was Christianity, in the form of the Catholic religion. The lives of the people were dominated by the church. From birth to death, whether a peasant, a serf, a noble a lord or a King - life was dominated by the church and Medieval religion. Various religious institutions, such as monasteries and convents, became important, rich and powerful. The lives of many medieval people including various orders of monks and nuns were dedicated to the Catholic Church and religion. The Popes became powerful and highly influential. The pyramid of power within the Medieval Church was a follows: The Pope, Bishop, Arch Bishop, Arch Deacon, Abbot, Prior, Dean, and Monks. The Pope was the highest level and a Monk was the lowest level. Men who entered a medieval monastery could become both wealthy and successful. The abbey, the term used for a monastery, was under the authority of an abbot. Medieval monastery life consisted of a regular round of worship, reading, and manual labor. Every day was divided into eight sacred offices, beginning and ending with services in the monastery church. The first service came usually about two o'clock in the morning; the last, just as evening set in, before the monks retired. In addition to their attendance at church, the monks spent several hours in reading from the Bible, private prayer, and meditation. For most of the day, however, they worked hard with their hands, doing the necessary washing and cooking for the monastery, raising the necessary supplies of vegetables and grain, and performing all the other tasks required to maintain a large establishment like the monastery. Another important aspect of Medieval Religion in England was the concept of pilgrimage was an important religious belief in the middle ages both in terms of religious activity and as a way of medieval life. A Pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place or shrine undertaken as a spiritual quest to obtain supernatural help or as a form of penance for sins. This was the period of the Crusades where thousands of Medieval Christians, rich and poor, old and young, from all walks of life travelled nearly three thousand miles to the Holy Land. The concept and practice of Christian pilgrimage was first made to holy Christian sites which were connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pilgrimages were the first holidays enjoyed by medieval people. One of the most important historical events of the medieval era was The Great Schism. This was a period of great change in the Christian church. Disputes of the Crusades led to the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches, called the Great Schism of 1054. The split, the Great Schism of 1054, led to the development of the modern Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. In conclusion: Although Religion in England during the medieval era is quite different from what we know today, it is very important because it was early Christianity. They believed in Jesus Christ, and studied the Bible, which is the basic for Christian beliefs today. Today however, religion is a freedom of choice. No longer are we forced to have a particular religion. It is our choice as an individual.
Medieval Religion
By Samantha Brazee
In Europe during the medieval times the only recognized religion was Christianity, in the form of the Catholic religion. The lives of the people were dominated by the church. From birth to death, whether a peasant, a serf, a noble a lord or a King - life was dominated by the church and Medieval religion.Various religious institutions, such as monasteries and convents, became important, rich and powerful. The lives of many medieval people including various orders of monks and nuns were dedicated to the Catholic Church and religion. The Popes became powerful and highly influential. The pyramid of power within the Medieval Church was a follows: The Pope, Bishop, Arch Bishop, Arch Deacon, Abbot, Prior, Dean, and Monks. The Pope was the highest level and a Monk was the lowest level. Men who entered a medieval monastery could become both wealthy and successful. The abbey, the term used for a monastery, was under the authority of an abbot. Medieval monastery life consisted of a regular round of worship, reading, and manual labor. Every day was divided into eight sacred offices, beginning and ending with services in the monastery church. The first service came usually about two o'clock in the morning; the last, just as evening set in, before the monks retired. In addition to their attendance at church, the monks spent several hours in reading from the Bible, private prayer, and meditation. For most of the day, however, they worked hard with their hands, doing the necessary washing and cooking for the monastery, raising the necessary supplies of vegetables and grain, and performing all the other tasks required to maintain a large establishment like the monastery.
Another important aspect of Medieval Religion in England was the concept of pilgrimage was an important religious belief in the middle ages both in terms of religious activity and as a way of medieval life. A Pilgrimage is a journey to a holy place or shrine undertaken as a spiritual quest to obtain supernatural help or as a form of penance for sins. This was the period of the Crusades where thousands of Medieval Christians, rich and poor, old and young, from all walks of life travelled nearly three thousand miles to the Holy Land. The concept and practice of Christian pilgrimage was first made to holy Christian sites which were connected with the birth, life, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Pilgrimages were the first holidays enjoyed by medieval people.
One of the most important historical events of the medieval era was The Great Schism. This was a period of great change in the Christian church. Disputes of the Crusades led to the split between the Eastern and Western Christian Churches, called the Great Schism of 1054. The split, the Great Schism of 1054, led to the development of the modern Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches.
In conclusion: Although Religion in England during the medieval era is quite different from what we know today, it is very important because it was early Christianity. They believed in Jesus Christ, and studied the Bible, which is the basic for Christian beliefs today. Today however, religion is a freedom of choice. No longer are we forced to have a particular religion. It is our choice as an individual.
My Sources
http://www.allsands.com/religious/medievalreligio_xjz_gn.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medieval_religion_in_England
http://www.britainexpress.com/History/TheMedievalChurch.htm
http://www.camelotintl.com/village/church.html
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/medieval_church.htm
http://medieval-period.com/
http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/questions/religions.html